The Hard Truth

(Part 2)

“He said this while teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum. On hearing it, many of his disciples said, ‘This is hard teaching. Who can accept it?”

John 6:59-60

Jesus’ method of weeding out the “insincere” and the “religious” takes a new direction as He turns to the crowd and begins to teach. The crowd squirms in their seats as Jesus declares that those who do not eat His flesh and drink His blood have no life in them. He declares that He is the bread from Heaven, and whoever feeds on this bread will live forever. All of a sudden the celebratory atmosphere evaporated as the crowd became increasingly uncomfortable with Christ’s teaching. They began to grumble among themselves to which Jesus responded:

“Does this offend you? What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe.”

John 6:61-64

Following Jesus is easy when the truth is convenient for us. However, once it becomes hard to swallow, the depth of our commitment is revealed. The problem is that not all the truth that God desires for us to obtain is easy to accept:

“From this time many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed Him.”

John 6:66

This unwillingness to accept “hard truth” is why many “believers” walk away from their faith or at the least fail to embrace God’s fullness. It is ultimately why many refuse to embrace the Holy Spirit:

“But when He, the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all truth.”

John 16:13

The Holy Spirit’s job, like it or not, is to lead us into ALL truth. How we respond to that truth reveals and exposes the true motives of our heart. What “truth” are you unwilling to accept that is hindering your walk with God? Are you honestly willing to walk away from God because you don’t like what He has to say about forgiveness, bitterness, gossip, adultery, poor stewardship or marital issues? What truth will stop you from pursuing Him? Will you still stand firm, when everyone else walks away? As Jesus watched those who were unwilling to accept the “hard truth” walk away, He turned to the remaining disciples and said:

“You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.

John 6:67

It response Peter declared:

“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy one of God.”

John 6:68-69

True followers of Jesus Christ; do not abandon their faith when they don’t like what they hear! The truth may be hard to swallow sometimes, but they are the words of eternal life to all who will believe.




Pastor Scott Burr
http://faithandworshipseries.blogspot.com/